Automatic counter for firearms.



No. 796,614. PATENTBD AUG. 8, 1905. c. J. SYKES.

AUTOMATIC COUNTER FOR FIREARMS.

Arrmculol FILED NOV. 2, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

a eei, m 1- 4 7 $9 7 M a4 W R $23M manaw. B. alum 0o. mumumowmn: wlsumuron. I)v ci PATENTED AUG. 8, 190

C. J. SYKES.

AUTOMATIC COUNTER FOR FIREARMS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.2,1904.

2 SHEETSSHBBT H m l r CHARLES J. SYKES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC COUNTER FOR FIREARMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8,.19C5.

Application filed November 2. 1904. Serial No. 231,113.

tion is to facilitate the counting of the number of shots fired and to prevent fraud.

The invention consists in the combination, with a firearm or other explosive-engine, of mechanism operating to count automatically the number of explosions, which mechanism is operated by the force produced by the explosion.

The invention further consists in the combination, with an explosive-engine, such as a gun, of a mechanism operated by the pressure of the gases of explosion to record the shots fired upon a record-strip or the like and means operated by the firing mechanism of the gun to advance the record-strip or the like after each shot fired.

The invention further consists in the combination of various parts and operative constructions thereof to effectuate the objects of the invention, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a section of a gun with the counting mechanism attached. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, showing the explosion-chamber and counting mechanism in end elevation. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, showing in detail a pressurechamber for operating the counter and communicating With the explosion-chamber of the gun. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the record-strip and a tension device therefor. Fig. 5 is a side elevation with parts removed and other parts in section.

In the drawings, 1 designates the sight, 2 the barrel, 3 the ej ector-slide, 4 the magazine, and 5 the stock, all of which may be of the usual or any desirable construction. The particular firearm shown is intended for use with cartridges, and therefore is provided with the usual means for ejecting a used cartridge and inserting a fresh one. I preferably mount my counting mechanism on the side mam of the gun-barrel opposite the explosionchamber. The particular form or construction of this mechanism maybe greatly varied but in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings it comprises a movable record-strip, a feeding mechanism for said strip operated by the ejector mechanism, and a printing or impressing device operated by the movable wall of a pressure-chamber communicating with the explosionwhamber of the gun.

6 represents the pressure-chamber as a whole, the same being composed of metal plates having the requisite strength to resist the gas-pressure and secured to the side of the stock or barrel by means of the bolts 7 8, the bolt 7 being longitudinally apertured to provide a port or passage 9,, which is continued through the side of the barrel, as shown in Fig. 3, and communicates with the bore 10 of said barrel. This pressure-chamber has one side thereof closed by a movable wall in the form of a curved diaphragm 11, so disposed as to be flexed outwardly by pressure within the chamber. This diaphragm may carry one member of a markin or impression device, and in the particu ar construction shown it carries a block or platen 12, cooperating with a printing-point 13, which may be formed on the adjustable bolt 14, threaded in a block 15, which is secured to the base-plate 16 by means of screws.

17 and 18 represent ratchet-Wheels for moving the record-strip, said ratchet-wheels being mounted on studs or spools 30 and 31, carried by the bar 20.

28 and 29 are flat springs which frictionally retard the movement of the spools.

32 is a disk carrying a ratchet-pawl 32 and having a recess 33 therein, upon which is mounted a spring 23 for returning the disk to its normal position.

19 is a sliding plate having an upturned end 38, which is engaged by the pawl 32*.

The opposite end of the sliding plate '19 has an integrally-formed arm 25, adapted to be engaged by the ejector mechanism.

21 is a spring for returning the sliding plate, and 22 is a spring to hold the ratchetpawl 32 in contact with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 17.

24 is a recordstrip, which is connected to the spools or studs 30 and 31 and is carried from the latter around the block 15 and between the printing-point 13 and the platen 12, the strip being Wound upon the stud or spool 30.

' counting.

The cartridge is indicated in dotted lines at 35, and 37 is a casing inclosing counting mechanism. 1

The operation is as follows: The gases from the exphgsion in the chamber of the gun enter the opening or port 9 and pass into the pressure-chamber, causing the diaphragm to move forward and-force the platen and interposed record strips against the point 13, causing a puncture, stamp, or mark to be made upon said stri After the shot is fired it is necessary to pu the ejector backwardly in order that the shell may be extracted and a fresh cartridge placed in the chamber of the gun. During this movement the ejector comes'in contact with the arm 25 of the sliding plate 19, which in turn is pushed backwardly and causes the arm 38 to engage the pawl 32 thereby moving the ratchet-wheel forward one step and advancing the recordstrip to bring a fresh portion of said strip opposite the printing-point. After the firing of every shot the ejector is pulled backward and the operation is repeated, thus affording a count of each shot fired.

I do not limit my invention to the particular mechanism shown and described, but reserve the right to modify it in respect to details and by the substitution of mechanical equivalents without departing from the spirit and principle of the invention. For

example, instead of the impression device described I might employ any other suitable counting mechanism, such as an ordinary cycharge fired from said firearm to actuate the V impression device.

2. The combination wlth a firearm, of a countlng mechanism, a pressure-chamber in communication with the explosion-chamber.

of the gun, and means whereby the gases of the explosion acting within said chamber are caused to actuate the counting mechanism.

3. The combination with an explosive firearm, of a counting mechanism, a pressurechamber having a movable wall to actuate said counting mechanism, a port or passage connecting the explosion-chamber of the gun and said pressure-chamber, and means operated by the gun mechanism for advancing the counter after each explosion.

4. The combination with an explosive firearm and an ejector mechanism therefor, of a counting mechanism mounted upon the gun and having a record-strip, a pressurechamber having a movable wall operatedby the gases of the explosion, means operated by the movement of the movable wall to effect an impression upon the record-strip, and a strip -feeding mechanism actuated by the ejector mechanism of the gun.

5. In combination with a firearm, a counter and an actuating part, subject to the direct action of the gases of the explosion' CHARLES J. SYKES.

Witnesses:

JAMES R. OFFIELD, FREDERICK C. GoonwrN. 

